What’s On My Table With Alexandra Dudley
I try to fill my plate with as much colour as possible this time of year. Not just to ward off colds, but to bring a bit of joy to my midweek lunches as we slide into winter. This soba noodle bowl is something I’ve been eating on repeat, but it’s the dressing that makes it. I eat it with soba noodles and a mix of roasted and steamed veg or throw it onto some shredded chicken, carrots and lettuce for a satisfying salad. This makes enough for 3-4 portions and will keep in the fridge for five days.
Peanut Miso Sauce & A Satisfying Soba Noodle Bowl
For the dressing, mix together all the ingredients adding enough water to achieve a spoonable consistency.
I love to serve this with some soba noodles (I love King Soba) and some mixed roasted vegetables. My go-to combination is roasted aubergine and broccoli with steamed edamame beans and some raw carrots. Finish with toasted sesame seeds and freshly chopped chilli if you like.
THE THREE THINGS ALEXANDRA'S LOVING THIS MONTH
Mirror Margarita, £26
I am usually not one for a premixed cocktail but recently tried this bottled margarita created by the team at Hacha bar and was blown away. It was so zesty and clean and better than anything I’ve ever made at home. All you need to do is chill it and pour it over ice. It’s also crystal clear too which looks incredibly chic. You can buy it online, but it will be available at Sainsburys from mid-October too.
Visit MirrorMargarita.com
Banhoek Chilli Oil, £9.85
I can never resist a bottle chilli oil and have been putting this on everything recently. It’s not too hot but adds a really good flavour kick. It’s especially good on eggs and noodles and it may sound odd, but it is really good on broccoli.
Visit ChalkStreamFoods.co.uk
Moscatel Vinegar, £11.95
I go through bottles of this stuff. It is slightly sweeter and more complex than a white wine vinegar and makes for a really good salad dressing, but it’s also good splashed into tomato sauces to take the acidic edge off. I love adding some to the pan when I fry prawns too. It gives them an almost sweet-sour caramelised element.
Visit Belazu.com
AND OFF THE TABLE...
A cocktail with a girlfriend is probably the thing I look forward to most when there is a gap in the diary. I have an almost religious dedication to my favourite cocktail spots in London (Bar Termini, Claridge’s Bar, The Connaught Bar, The Red Room at The Connaught and Quo Vadis) but I think I’ve found a new favourite, Nipperkin. Tucked beneath Mayfair’s 20 Berkeley Restaurant, it has a glamorous yet cosy feel. The bar itself almost takes the form of an island in the centre of the room with plush sofas and cosy nooks surrounding it. You get a close-up view of your cocktail in action while still feeling like you can spill secrets to your best friend.
The menu itself is hyper-seasonal and changes in line with the best of local British produce. It’s definitely a place to mix up your order and try something new. But if like me you are a somewhat stubborn purist when it comes to cocktails, they will still make your favourite with their own subtle spin. The dry vodka martini I enjoyed was arctic cold (perfect) but instead of my usual twist, it was finished with a spritz of essence made from lemon peels. It was delicious.
Visit 20Berkeley.com
For more from Alexandra, follow her @AlexandraDudley or visit AlexandraDudley.com.
Read More From Alexandra Dudley
DISCLAIMER: We endeavour to always credit the correct original source of every image we use. If you think a credit may be incorrect, please contact us at info@sheerluxe.com.